A Touch From the Heart

Saturday Sketch Challenge

Happy Memorial Day weekend!!!!   Although this weekend will be filled with BBQs, pool parties and celebrations, I must not forget the reason for this holiday.  We give thanks and remember those men and women in the military who paid the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedoms.  

I kick off every weekend with my Stamping 411 Saturday Sketch Challenge card.  What's a better way to celebrate Memorial Day than with a.......Christmas card?  Yup, you're pretty much thinking I fell off the deep end.  But, as soon as I saw this sketch, a vision of this card popped into my head!!!!

Here is this week's sketch:

and here is this week's card.......

I played with some new goodies and some old favorites while making this card.  

The dsp is a sneak peek from the new catalog.  It's called Be of Good Cheer, and all of the patterns have wonderful Christmas themes.  The colors are Cherry Cobbler, Gumball Green and Very Vanilla.  

See how crisp and clear my ornament is?  That's because I used my new Basic Black ink pad.  The firm foam design allows me to stamp solid images without any bald spots.  Love that!  

I'll leave you with the card recipe in case you want to make this card.  Hey, it's never too early to start your holiday cards!!!!

I wish each of you a safe and wonderful holiday weekend!!!!

Card Recipe

stamps:  Tags til Christmas, Curly Cute
paper:  Very Vanilla, Basic Black, Crumb Cake, Be of Good Cheer
ink:  Basic Black, Crumb Cake
accessories:  Ornament punch, Crumb Cake Seam Binding,  Basic Pearls, sponges

Simpler Times

I designed this card for October's Just Cards class.  It was the simplest design of the night, but the image just reminds me of simpler times.  Can't you just picture the skaters enjoying each other without a cell phone ringing, being texted by the kids saying they need a ride to the mall?  

This card really shimmers in person.  It's been misted with some homemade Shimmer Mist.  So, so pretty!

The drama on this card comes from the gold metallic patterned paper.  It comes from the Mocha Morning Specialty DSP collection, and it is truly stunning!!!!

The card is quite simple.  The only thing I will say is that the snowflakes are inked with Soft Suede and then stamped off once prior to stamping onto the cardstock.  The other images are stamped full strength with Early Espresso ink.

I'll leave you with the card recipe in case you want to recreate it.  All of the products used to make this card can be purchased from my ONLINE STORE.  This time of year, it's so convenient to know that your can order your Stampin' Up! products from the comfort of your own home.

Card Recipe

stamps:  Winter Post

paper:  Early Espresso, Very Vanilla, Brushed Gold cardstock, Mocha Morning Specialty dsp

ink:  Early Espresso, Soft Suede

accessories:  Champagne Mist shimmer paint, Scallop Edge border punch

Advent Calendar Class

I am VERY excited about my upcoming Advent Calendar Class.  When my kids were younger, they would argue over who would change the number on our "countdown to Christmas" calendar.  As they are now almost 19 and 17, they still argue, but not over who gets to change a number.  

Here's a photo of the calendar we will be making......

Note:  the class fee does not include the frame.  The frame I have chosen for my sample is not great quality and very over-priced at that.  It would've made the class fee crazy high, and you would've been disappointed by the frame.  So, thank you for understanding!!!

Here are the class details:

Date:  Sunday, November 13th
Time:  1:00pm til 5:00pm
Location:  Stampin' Studio at Patti's house in Chaska, MN

The class fee is $25.00 and includes a delicious homemade southwestern lunch.  It's still in the planning phases, but what I am thinking is Turkey Taco Chili Soup, cornbread, salad and dessert.  My family LOVES this soup, and I think you will too!!! 

If you would like to attend this class, please RSVP by Friday, November 11th.  My email is plchesky@comcast.net. 

Back in Time

When Dennis and I were engaged (22 years ago...yikes!), we went away for a long weekend in New Hampshire.  We lived in New York at the time, and both worked for IBM at the time.  I was a computer programmer, and he working in 3rd shift computer operations.  Since we worked different shifts (I was 7:30am to 4pm and he was midnight to 8am), we treasured all the time we could have together.   Our jobs were stressful and a relaxing Fall weekend was the perfect remedy.

The focal image from my card reminds me of the bed and breakfast we stayed at.  It was such a lovely place.  It even snowed while we were there....making it look very much like my card!

I really adore this week's Stamping 411 sketch.  I think it lends itself to so many types of cards!  I happened to make a Christmas card.

Without further ado, here is my "back in time" card...........

Ahhhhhhhhhh....can't you just picture it?  The snow is falling.....it's so quiet and picturesque.  All you hear is nature.....little crackles from the footsteps of bunnies and deer in the woods.  Bliss......pure bliss!

Okay, Patti....snap out of it!  You came here to talk about my card.......

This card is so super simple to make. 

My base card is Crumb Cake.  There's always delicious crumb cake at Sunday brunch! 

My next layer is Cherry Cobbler.  I won't ramble about the dessert table, but if you've been to a brunch before, you know how scrumptious it is!!!

Per the sketch, I added two strips of patterned paper.   The plaid patterned paper is rustic and classic.  It's from the Frostwood Lodge dsp pack, and it reminds me of the quilt that dressed our bed at the B&B.  After gluing down the strips, I ran the entire layer through the Big Shot using my beloved Square Lattice embossing folder.

The house was stamped with Early Espresso ink.  I cut each of the corners with the Ticket Corner punch.  The only things I added to the focal image is some light sponging around the edges using Early Espresso ink and the glittering of the snow with Dazzling Diamonds.   This layer is matted on a 1/8" larger piece of Early Espresso cardstock.  Four baby Basic Pearls adorn each of those punched corners. 

Prior to gluing down the focal image, I added a length of Crumb Cake Seam Binding and tied it into a classic knot.  I stamped the word "merry" (from the Tiny Tags stamp set) and punched it with the Jewelry Tag punch.  This is tied to the ribbon with some Early Espresso Baker's Twine.  Behind the tag sits a 1/4" circle stamped with the pine bough image using Garden Green ink.

Thanks for letting me reminisce with you.  It seems like forever since Dennis and I traveled to New Hampshire.  Well, I guess it was, huh?  Twenty two years later we've built a wonderful marriage with two fabulous kids, were "parents" to two adorable dogs (miss you Chloe), moved half way across the country and established a home in Minnesota.  Life is good!

Card Recipe

stamps:  Christmas Lodge, Tiny Tags
paper:  Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla, Early Espresso, Frostwood Lodge dsp
ink:  Early Espresso, Garden Green
accessories:  Square Lattice embossing folder, 1 1/4" circle punch, Jewelry Tag punch, Early Espresso Baker's Twine, Crumb Cake Seam Binding, Ticket Corner Punch, Basic Pearls

Dashing Dasher

Oh, if you knew the story behind this card! 

You know how you tell your kids to read all the directions before they start something?  Yeah, well this mama didn't take her own advice.

My friend Robin Merriman hosts the GoDiva swap about 4 times a year.  This time we were supposed to make a Holiday swap.  Well, in my mind, I read it as "Holiday Mini" swap.  So, I made 30 gorgeous fall-inspired cards (thankfully, I was able to use these for a different swap).  I mail them off early to Robin.  Yes!  I am ahead of the game, right?

Nope!  Robin emails the group letting us know that it's a HOLIDAY swap not Holiday Mini.   That means Christmas cards.  Oops!  My bad!

So, I grab my husband, and he's cranking away at the Big Shot so I can get these 30 cards made and mailed before the deadline.  Woo hoo!  In a record amount of time, we get all 30 of those cards done!!!!!  Thank you honey!!!  You're the best!!!

I really do love this card (even though I was swearing under my breath as I was making them).

It uses my beloved Medallion background stamp and the elegant Dasher a la carte stamp.  The wood on this stamp is quite stained, but that only shows how much I love this little reindeer!  He looks fabulous all dressed in pewter, doesn't he?  That Pewter Embossing Powder is so elegant.  It's very different than silver......much more muted and regal!

The elegance is also boosted by the fabulous Early Espresso Quilted Ribbon.  Love this stuff!  I am already on my 2nd roll, and I haven't even made any of my own holiday cards yet!

Well, I'll leave you with the card recipe.  As always, if you have any questions about how to do something, please leave a comment or email me!  I'm here to help!!!

Click here to place your Stampin' Up! order through my demonstrator website

Card Recipe

stamps:  Dasher, Medallion, Four the Holidays
paper:  Cherry Cobbler, Early Espresso, Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla
ink:  Versamark
accessories:  Pewter embossing powder, heat gun, 3" Circle Bigz die, Scallop Circles #2 Bigz die, Early Espresso Quilted Ribbon

No Worries Mr. Postman

I know what you're thinking........where in the heck have I been?  Well, as usual, things have been quite busy here.  Homecoming is this weekend.....so we've been dress shopping!  The dress is gorgeous and so perfect for Amanda!

I also have been working very hard on a presentation for Saturday.  Dawn Olchefske asked me to do a demonstration at her downline meeting.  I am excited and nervous all at the same time!  I've come up with some different ways to use a Holiday Mini product.  I don't want to give away the surprise.....so I will share with all of you next week, okay?

Last week was also my monthly Christmas Card club.  This month's cards are all cards that won't make the post office all mad.  That's because these cards are all non-lumpy and non-bumpy!  No extra postage needed for these cards!

Here's the simplest card we made:

The base card is Whisper White.  I love using light colored base cards as there isn't a layer needed on the inside....those layers all add up to lumps and bumps!

Layer #2 is Night of Navy that's been embossed with the Pretty Petals embossing folder.

Layer #3 is Whisper White, and the gorgeous dove image is inked with Versamark ink and sprinkled with the brand new Pewter embossing powder.  It's so elegant and rich looking!  Once it's heated, I colored in the dove with my Two Way glue pen and sprinkled on some Dazzling Diamonds.  This layer is matted on a 1/8" larger piece of Bravo Burgandy!

It's so incredibly sparkly!  I can't even photograph how beautiful it is!!!!

Simple?  Yes!!!  Gorgeous?  Definitely!  The perfect holiday card to make lots and lots of?  Oh yeah!!!!  

I'll leave you with the card recipe in case you want to make it yourself.  Of course, my ONLINE STORE is always open if you need to purchase any Stampin' Up! supplies.

I'll try not to take so long in between posts.....thanks for hanging in there!

Card Recipe

stamps:  Gifts of Christmas
paper:  Whisper White, Night of Navy, Bravo Burgandy
ink:  Versamark
accessories:  Pretty Petals embossing folder, Pewter embossing powder, Two Way glue pen, Dazzling Diamonds 

Warmest Wishes

For this week's Stamping 411 Saturday Sketch Challenge card I am going to channel my friend and fellow Stamping 411 operator, Lee Conrey.

Lee's style is crisp and clean.  It usually involves Whisper White which just lends itself to crisp and clean, right?

Here's my "Lee" card........

My base card is Cherry Cobbler.  It's a square card.  It measures 5 1/4" x 10 1/2", folded in half. 

Layer #2 is Whisper White, and it measures 5" square.  I stamped the Hello, Doily background stamp using Versamark ink.  I then sprinkled on some yummy Cherry Cobbler embossing powder and heated 'til melted. 

Before working on the rest of the card, I poked a hole in the center of the doily and threaded some Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding through the hole and tied it into a pretty bow.

My sentiment comes from the hostess set in the Holiday Mini Catalog.  I inked it up with Chocolate Chip ink because we all know how wonderful chocolate and cherries go together.   It's stamped on Crumb Cake cardstock and punched with the 2 1/2" circle punch.  I sponged the edges to soften the look!

All that's left is the addition of pearls.

So, what do you think of my "Lee" card?  I hope I made her proud!!!!

Card Recipe

stamps:  Hello, Doily, Warmest of Wishes
paper:  Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake
ink:  Chocolate Chip, Versamark
accessories:  Cherry Cobbler embossing powder, Ticket Corner punch, Basic Pearls, Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding 

It's a Polar Party

Hey there!  It's been a busy week as Amanda is back to school.  She's a senior this year.  Hard to believe that my little girl just had her last "first day" of high school!  I also started back to work on Tuesday.  Hearing the alarm clock so early in the morning has not been a favorite part of my day!

A favorite part of my Friday is always showing you my latest Stamping 411 Saturday Sketch Challenge project.

This week's sketch is a beauty!!!  In fact, I knew EXACTLY what I wanted to do as soon as I peeked at the sketch.  

I knew that I needed to play with the Shaker Frames.  Oh, these little guys are so much fun!  Basically, they are nesting concentric circles of raised foam.  You use your paper piercing tool to lift off the circle that fits best for your image and place it over that image (image should already be colored in).  Next, add your shaker material.  I used the new Mica Flakes, but I can't wait to try glitter, microbeads and other goodies too!  Now, it's time to peel off the paper layer to expose the adhesive.  All you need to do now is lay a piece of Window Sheet over it to complete the shaker!  So fun and easy!

This card is for my mom!  She LOVES penguins!!!  I think she's really going to like this interactive penguin card!!!  This penguin comes from the new Polar Party stamp set.  They are watercolored with my Aquapainter and Stampin' Write Markers.  

Let's talk about the card "deets".....

My base card is Pool Party!  I love this color for winter cards!!!  

Layer #2 is Whisper White that's been embossed using my Big Shot and the new Snowburst embossing folder.  I love these little snowflakes!

Layer #3 is a 3" x 4" piece of Island Indigo polka dot dsp.  This dsp can be found in the 2011-2013 In Color Patterns dsp stacks.  You'll notice that I use these stacks a lot!  The patterns are very versatile and usable on almost any project!

The seam where the two layers meet are covered with a length of Pool Party Ruffled Ribbon.  Those fun and frilly edges are 'da bomb!

I already talked about my shaker box, but I didn't talk about how I hide it.  I grabbed a strip of Pool Party cardstock and marked the center of it with a pencil.  I punched a 1 3/4" circle using my punch.  I then ran a piece of Island Indigo cardstock through my Big Shot using the largest circle on my Circles #2 die.  I placed it over the hole I previously punched, lined up the punch and re-punched to make the frame!  

All I needed to do was sponge the edges with Pool Party ink, add the four silver brads and mat it onto some Island Indigo cardstock!

My sentiment comes from the new Petite Pairs stamp set.  It's quickly becoming as loved as my Teeny Tiny Wishes.  They nestle nicely within the punches, and there's a matching verse for the inside of my card too!

Well, that's about it for my happy little penguin card!  I hope it makes my mom happy!!!  I'm pretty sure it will!

I have a feeling that I'm not the only one who's going to use the Shaker Frames for this week's Stamping 411 challenge.  I'm off to go see if I am right!  

Until next time......Happy Stamping everyone!

Card Recipe

stamps:  Polar Party, Petite Pairs
paper:  Pool Party, Island Indigo, Whisper White
ink:  Pool Party, Island Indigo
accessories:  Big Shot, Snowburst embossing folder, Shaker Frames, 1 3/4" circle punch, Circles #2 Bigz die, Mica Flakes, Silver Brads, Window Sheets, Aquapainter, Stampin' Write Markers, Stampin' Pastels (to blush the cheeks) 

Cute as a Button

Today I am going to showcase my second card from this month's Christmas Card Club.

It uses the Button Buddies stamp set.  This stamp set is unique in that every image in this set works with a button.  Now, you can use regular buttons, a button from the Button, stamp set or from the amazing Sweet Buttons embosslit (as I did on this card).

The Big Shot got a major workout for this card.  The Whisper White layer is embossed with the Snowburst embossing folder.  The snowman is framed with the Designer Frames embossing folder. Finally, I already mentioned the button was made with the Sweet Buttons embosslit.  Whew!!!  Good thing the Big Shot is mighty.....because we had so many ladies cranking out their projects last week!!!!

Here's a tip for making the snowman.  Ink him up with Basic Gray ink, wet a cotton swab and remove the ink from the nose, ink the nose with a Pumpkin Pie marker, huff on the stamp and stamp onto some Whisper White cardstock.   Make sure to punch him out with the Wide Oval Punch because it coordinates perfectly with the Designer Frame embossing folder.  Love that!!!!

I'll leave you with the card recipe in case you want to make this cute little snow guy for yourself.  The Snowburst embossing folder isn't available until September 1st (just a day away).

Order your Stampin' Up! supplies from Patti's ONLINE STORE.  

Card Recipe

stamps:  Button Buddies, Petite Pairs
paper:  Real Red, Whisper White, Baja Breeze, Basic Black, Brights Patterns dsp
ink:  Basic Gray, Baja Breeze
accessories:  Big Shot, Designer Frames embossing folder, Snowburst embossing folder, Real Red Satin Ribbon, Wide Oval punch, Modern Label punch, Basic Pearls, Real Red marker, Pumpkin Pie marker, Stampin Pastels 

And the Stockings Were Hung

Last week I held my second Christmas Card Club class.  Every month (from July through November), I hold a Christmas Card Club class.  We make 12 holiday cards (3 designs, 4 of each design).  If you attend all my Christmas Card Club classes, you'll have 60 cards and envelopes all ready for the holiday season.  That's right.....you can sit back and sip that eggnog and nibble on those cookies because you know that your holiday cards are done!

Here's one of the designs we made this month:

It uses a bunch of new products from the Holiday Mini Catalog (starts this Thursday, Sept. 1st).

Can you spot the new products?  

Let's see!  There's the Stitched Stockings stamp set (with the coordinating Build a Stocking punch to punch it all out), Silver Glimmer Paper, Cherry Cobbler Quilted Ribbon, 1" Square Punch (used to make the banner edge) and I scored one of the layers using my Simply Scored board.  

That Silver Glimmer Paper is bling-a-licious!!!  It looks like diamonds!!!  Here's a close up so you can see what I'm talking about.....

I told you it was gorgeous!!!  This card makes me really happy!

There's only a few more days until you can order all these yummy new holiday products.   Please don't forget about all the fabulous products still available for purchase from the Summer Mini Catalog.  They are only available for purchase until August 31st.   That thought makes me really sad because I am going to seriously miss many of the products from this catty (especially the Open Sea stamp set with its coordinating Nautical Expedition dsp).

Order your Stampin' Up! supplies from Patti's ONLINE STORE.

Card Recipe

stamps:  Stitched Stockings, Four the Holidays
paper:  Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla, Silver Glimmer Paper
ink:  Cherry Cobbler, Garden Green, Chocolate Chip
accessories:  Simply Scored, Cherry Cobbler Quilted Ribbon,  Gold brads, Build a Stocking punch, 1" Square punch, Square Lattice embossing folder, sponge